King Henry re-weaves history

Historic visit: King Henry VIII and his final wife Katherine at Hampton Court Palace

KING HENRY VIII returned to Hampton Court Palace today to launch celebrations marking the 500th anniversary of his accession to the throne.

He appeared with his final wife, Katherine — Kateryn — Parr, the only one to survive him, to see a new exhibition, Head and Hearts, which tells the story of his many marriages and life at his former home.

The show, which opens tomorrow, includes a re-creation of their wedding ceremony.

The couple viewed a rare 16th century tapestry which has been given back its original jewel-like colour by projecting a digitally reconstructed image onto it.

Manager Kathryn Hallett said: "This shows how these works would have dazzled 500 years ago."